Victorian Fair Trade Festival 2015 Program

The Fair Trade Mothers’ Day Market

The colourful ethical markets will offer visitors the opportunity for an amazing shopping experience, some great mothers’ day gift ideas and a wonderful place to meet the people behind the fair-trade and ethical movement. Learn about how you as a consumer can become an advocate to a brighter and better future. The Fair Trade Mothers’ Day Market is proudly delivered in partnership with Moreland City Council.

Totes Fair Trade

Totes Fairtrade is a collaborative project between RMIT School of Fashion and Textiles, Moral Fairground and 3Fish celebrating Fair Trade Fortnight 2015.

An open BA Textile Design and Diploma Textile Design and Development student project brief and call out to create designs for a tote bag around the theme of social, economic and environmental well being using organic fair trade cotton calico sourced in India by 3Fish.

The Totes Fairtrade bags will be exhibited and sold during Fairtrade Fortnight at the Victorian Fair Trade Festival Brunswick Town Hall. Any bags remaining will be sold at the RMIT University merchandise campus store, with all funds raised donated.

Visit the RMIT stall and exhibit at the Fair Trade Market.

Ethical & Sustainable Fashion Shows

WHEN: Sunday, 10th May 2015
PRICE: FREE Entry

Join us in celebrating Fair Trade Fortnight where we will be hosting various fashion shows to showcase the best in ethical and sustainable fashion. Be inspired by local and international designers who are taking positive steps towards a fairer fashion industry, through the use of organic cottons, fair trade certified production and ethical supply chains.
We are delighted to be showcasing designers and brands representing the future of fashion – where you can expect the very best in design and aesthetics without comprising style. Eco-fashion no longer means baggy clothing made of hemp, let us show you how you can incorporate sustainability into your wardrobe without comprising your style.

11.30am – 11.50am Sustainable Style Morning to Night

1.00pm – 1.20pm Made by Melbourne

2.10pm – 2.30pm Pre-loved: Vintage & Recycled

Kids’ Activities throughout the day

Children of all ages can come along and get creative with multiple kids craft activities running all day. Kids will be able to make a card for mum on Mothers’ day using fair trade and recycled materials, jewellery making and some other fun and creative activities.

Multicultural Dance Performances and Live Music

Allow yourself to be amazed by incredible international acts demonstrating their unique cultural talents. Live entertainment by home grown talents & international artists will be performing throughout the day.

Live Music Performance times:

SARLIN 10.45am – 11.15am
She’s a young local lady that steps on stage with heart and honesty. She offers introspective, peculiar thoughts in her writing, that fuse beautifully with her warm guitar melodies and alone-consuming voice. She is Sarlin.

WADAIKO RINDO 12.00pm – 12.25pm
Wadaiko Rindo, Japanese drum ensemble based in Melbourne, is renowned for energetic and dynamic drumming performances.
In 1997 Toshi Sakamoto formed Wadaiko Rindo which is comprised of students from his taiko classes. Wadaiko Rindo has performed in many places around Australia as well as China, New Caledonia, Tonga and Fiji. The performances of Wadaiko Rindo are spectacular visual displays of stamina, strength and humour, with the vibrations produced on stage energising the whole audience.www.wadaikorindo.com

EBONIE HYLAND 1.25pm – 2pm
Ebonie Hyland is a singer/songwriter from South West Victoria. Now based in Melbourne, Ebonie takes the upbeat ukulele and writes blues-inspired folk songs with it. Her lyrics are often dark but not without a sense of optimism, as she aims to tell stories and respond to the world we live in.www.eboniehyland.com • Facebook

SAMAN MELBOURNE 2.45pm – 3pm
Saman Melbourne – A dance group based in Melbourne. Saman’s members are mix of Indonesian, Australian and other nationalities who simply loves Saman dance and Indonesian cultures and art. Saman is a popular dance from Aceh and is known as the “Dance of Thousand Hands”. The dance is performed by a group of people forming a line and characterised by its fast-paced rhythm and harmony between dancers.Facebook

NICK EVANGELOU 3.30pm – 4.15pm
Nick Evangelou – Nick shares his love for folk music and the ocean with a combination of acoustic slide guitar songs and 12 string guitar instrumentals. Nick launched his debut EP, “The Lighthouse and The Whale” last year. Since then he has been busy performing all over Victoria at acoustic music venues and at local and interstate folk music festivals. A full length album is well on its way.www.youtube.com

Project Fusion

RMIT, School of Fashion and Textiles, BA Textile Design, year 2 students in collaboration with Five P Venture. An evolving display of student design research and process.
In progress work from a design brief that asks students to use their textile design skills to explore a juxtaposition of local and global fashion trends creating textiles and garment concepts for traditional Indian artisan techniques and silhouettes.

Fair Trade School Program – “Dare to Play Bare Footed”

This program is designed to combine sport and education by encouraging primary school aged students to learn about fair trade and its benefits for children and families in developing countries, while playing soccer at the same time. This program is designed to work in conjunction with Jinta Sport, a fair trade soccer brand. Kids would play a series of short soccer matches in a tournament style, with the option of playing without shoes, because in many countries where quite a lot of sporting equipment is produced, the locals cannot afford such products. Included would also be a foot skills clinic, a few other small events, as well as some education activities regarding fair trade, and a presentation.

Friday Night Documentaries

‘Food Chains’

Food Chains reveals the human cost in our food supply systems and the complicity of large buyers of produce like fast food and supermarkets. The film follows an intrepid and highly lauded group of tomato pickers from Southern Florida – the Coalition of Immokalee Workers or CIW – who are revolutionising farm labour.

Their story is one of hope and promise for the triumph of morality over corporate greed – to ensure a dignified life for farm workers and a more humane, transparent food chain.

‘Not Business as Usual’

Not Business as Usual showcases the world’s leading subversive businesses and their mission to redefine what it means to be successful.

Providing a broad overview of the growing B-Corp movement, Not Business as Usual shows how, by putting people and planet on an equal footing with profit, businesses can change the world for the better. The evening will also include a panel discussion.

Exploring ways in which design and social innovation are increasing the impact of Fair Trade.

In this engaging and inspiring event the public will be taken on a journey of Fair Trade: exploring how Fair Trade engages with diverse and complex situations by utilising design and social innovation as an approach for change.

Learn about the principles which form the foundation of Fair Trade and how they connect with social and design intent.

Learn stories from social enterprises and design initiatives engaged at the grass-roots of the movement.

Learn how to support Fair Trade as a responsible and ethical consumer.

Alexandra has worked directly with fair trade based social enterprises in Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and the Philippines; developing products and production processes, whilst maintaining the value and significance of cultural elements embedded within the design and making process.

Through The Décologist, Alexandra continues to research and engage with fair trade and social enterprises globally, inspiring consumers, retailers, and designers to support Fair Trade and socially responsible décor, textiles and other products for the home. Alexandra is an associate member of the World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO) and supporter of Fair Trade Australia & New Zealand. http://www.thedecologist.com.

Chris has overall responsibility for all aspects of the Fair Trade Association’s work, including defining and pursuing the organisation’s strategic vision and working with partner organisations. Chris has an extensive background working in the not-for-profit sector, particularly in the area of the human rights. Most recently, Chris was Senior Policy Officer with the Public Interest Advocacy Centre, where he coordinated the organisation’s human rights law reform work. Previously Chris has worked as Coordinator and Solicitor at the Homeless Persons’ Legal Service. His work with homeless communities lead to his receipt of the Community Centre NSW Award and to his nomination for the Law and Justice Foundation’s Law Medal.

This program is delivered in partnership with MAKE+CONNECT, a study program within the School of Industrial Design, RMIT.

A business networking event for leaders and entrepreneurs to connect, collaborate and discuss their ethical business practices.Veronica Munro of Be Bold Consulting will be discussing and presenting three case studies of responsible businesses:

Veronica has a strong background in environmental sustainability. She helps companies adopt socially responsible practices and achieve a return on their investment for the benefit of their workers, community and environment. Veronica is well versed in B Corp certification and Trusted Organisation certification.
Light refreshments will be served, together with a great opportunity to meet and network with other like-minded businesses and individuals.